European summit in Moldova signal to Putin
The 27 EU leaders and their colleagues from almost all other European countries meet for the second summit of the so-called European Political Community (EPC). It’s being deliberated in the former Soviet country of Moldova, which applied for EU membership last year after Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
The tiny, poor country feels seriously threatened by Russia. The fact that the nearly fifty heads of government and state from all over Europe are settling down for a day in a Moldovan wine castle is therefore a strong message for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian ally: not only the European Union European, but the whole of Europe is firmly behind Moldova.
Three killed in an airstrike on Kiev
Three people were killed and several injured in a night air raid on the eastern part of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the city council said.
Two of the dead are children, Kiev’s military administration said in a message on the Telegram messaging app. Russia’s attack took place in the Desnyanskyi area of the city.
New US support for Ukraine
The White House announced new aid to Ukraine, including up to $300 million in air defense systems, munitions and other defense equipment. It is the Defense Department’s 39th supply package, the Pentagon said. Includes ammunition for Patriot air defense systems, Stinger anti-aircraft systems and tank ammunition.
In total, the Biden administration has now earmarked more than $38.3 billion for security support to Ukraine, of which more than $37.6 billion has been earmarked since the Russian invasion in February last year.